Expand the armed forces

Don’t balance budget on veterans’ shoulders

I have fought to preserve and protect the quality of benefits available to all veterans. While achieving real deficit reduction has, and will, require Congress to make difficult spending choices, I will vigorously oppose any effort to ask veterans to
shoulder the burden of balancing the budget. The Senate, with my support, has recommended increasing the Veteran’s Administration’s total budget by more than $1.17 billion over last year’s appropriations level.

Source: senate.gov/~smith “Smith on the Issues”
Aug 30, 1999

New non-VA programs for military retirees’ health care

I am deeply concerned about the ability of our military retirees over the age of 65 to get access to quality health care. We have a moral obligation to assist those in need who have honorably served our country. I [support a] test program to ensure the
availability of adequate health care for Medicare-eligible military retirees. The program ensures [against the VA’s problems with] geographic constraints resulting from the diminishing number of military treatment facilities.

Source: senate.gov/~smith “Smith on the Issues”
Aug 30, 1999

President needs knowledge & passion to inspire troops

“We need a strong, forceful commander in chief with the background, the credibility, and the knowledge and the passion to lead and inspire our troops and someone who cares about them and appreciates their sacrifices. And I’m prepared to meet that
challenge if I’m president of the United States.” Smith promised to never send troops into military action under a leader from another country.

Source: CNN.com Campaign 2000
Jul 2, 1999

Cuts have been too deep; need SDI defense

Senator Smith, as chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, has made the protection of America’s national security a top priority and believes cuts to our nation’s military have been too deep and have cut too far in manpower, weapons and readiness.
He is currently working to ensure that America is protected from the real and growing threat of ballistic missile attack.

Source: www.smithforpresident.org/issues.htm
May 19, 1999

Has worked to account for all POWs and MIAs

Senator Smith, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has worked tirelessly for 15 years to gain an accounting for America’s POWs and MIAs by travelling to Communist nations and declassifying Government records.

Source: www.smithforpresident.org/issues.htm
May 19, 1999

Correct shortages in military equipment & personnel

The President has asked the military to do more with less, and the foundation of our military readiness is crumbling. Throughout the armed forces, there is a shortage of spare parts for our military equipment. As President, I will ask the Joint Chiefs
for an immediate assessment of the operational needs of each of the services, and send a bill to Congress with the funding necessary to correct those shortages.

Source: www.SmithForPresident.org/ “Annoucement Speech”
Mar 29, 1999

Raise military pay & benefits

I will immediately raise military pay, and restore military retirement and health care benefits which have been cut so drastically over the years. Commitments to our veterans will be honored and there will be no military personnel on food stamps.

Source: www.SmithForPresident.org/ “Annoucement Speech”
Mar 29, 1999

Get answers on POWs and MIAs

Our nation’s POWs and MIAs sacrificed their own freedom to protect our freedom and were never heard from again. Their ultimate fate is still unknown. I have traveled to every corner of the world on behalf of the POW/MIA families searching for answers --
trying to end their uncertainty. I have had to bang on the doors of our own Government to open up intelligence files. Never again will these families have to beg our government and foreign governments for answers about their loved ones.

Source: www.SmithForPresident.org/ “Annoucement Speech”
Mar 29, 1999

Voted NO on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty would ban nuclear weapons testing six months after ratification by the 44 nations that have nuclear power plants or nucelar research reactors.
Status: Resolution of Ratification Rejected Y)48; N)51; P)1

Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP.

Vote that the policy of the US is to deploy a National Missile Defense system capable of defending against limited ballistic missile attack as soon as it is technologically possible, and to seek continued negotiated reductions in Russian nuclear forces.

Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%.

Vote to pass a bill to authorize a military pay raise of 4.8% in 2000 and annual pay increases through 2006 of 0.5% above the inflation rate. The bill would also provide additional incentives to certain enlisted personnel who remain on active duty.

Voted YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty.

Vote to consider establishing a policy requiring the deployment of a national missile defense system by the end of 2003. The bill would also urge discussions with Russia to amend the ABM Treaty to allow deployment of the system.